Superbooth 2019: E-RM Polygogo polygonal synthesis module

This seemed to be a slightly elusive module at the show. It’s difficult to find any images or video about it but it was definitely there. Perhaps it only made itself know to the most deserving which is why the only post about it on Instagram is from Cuckoo.

Polygogo

Polygogo is a stereo Eurorack oscillator based upon proprietary polygonal synthesis. It is based upon “complex polygonal amplitude shaping in a 2-dimensional space which is projected into the time domain to derive strictly orthogonal signals.” Take a polygon and spin it in a 2D space and if you plot the 2D movement over time it creates a wave. You generate sine waves this way when you plot a position on a spinning circle. Check out this animated gif:

Polygon waves

Or in other words, it’s a cool way to make interesting waves. This is essentially what the Pologogo does. You have control over how many corners the polygon has (“order”), how smooth it is (called “Teeth”) and how fast it moves or modulates (“Roll”).

The module itself features a large screen that displays a graphical rendition of the output waveform. The main parameters of Order, Teeth and Roll are readily available on sliders alongside the pitch (setting the fundamental frequency) and output ratios and amplitude (these appear to break and twist the waves). Each of them has a CV input and an attenuverter. It’s designed to let you play both sonically and visually. There’s an FM input, sync and also an analogue waveshaper on the output.

Starting with a sine wave you can start bringing in harmonics by pushing up the Order parameter and adding corners to move from triangle, to square to pentagram, hexagon and so on. Pushing up the Teeth parameter has the effect of enhancing the high frequencies making it brighter until the fundamental almost disappears. These two parameters are perfect for modulation. Using the “Roll” or modulation can start producing some visually stunning waveforms that also sound fabulous. The FM engine also does crazy stuff on the display.

There’s a lot going on here that lends itself to a wide variety of continually evolving and animated sounds. I get the feeling that we’re going to see a lot more about this once people start discovering it.

Before Superbooth E-RM did a workshop at SchneidersLaden which goes into a lot of great detail of what’s behind this module. I’m looking forward to seeing it in a more creative space.

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